No apologies required

Regarding Bernadine Van Thiel’s letter, “Fear of U.S. explained” (May 2), it seems there is no end to these passive, critical letters condemning the United States for dropping the A-bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing World War II to sudden, lifesaving end.

In the letter she explained her reasoning; now I’ll explain mine. I was in the first wave of the invasion of Luzon, Philippines, on Jan. 9, 1945. As it turned out it was a very easy invasion, we met no resistance. The Japanese general had pulled all his forces back to Manila to make a final stand.

As a staff sergeant, I was in charge of trucking “mortar ammo” to the various mortar companies in and around Manila. During these trips I saw building after building being reduced to rubble and countless body bags of our troops being taken away. It was so needless; the final outcome was never in doubt. However it made very plain Japan’s determination to fight to the very end.

So to you passive letter writers, condemning your own country for using the A-bomb, stopping World War II, I make no apology for questioning your logic or knowledge of the facts as they existed at the time.

Robert C. Sprint

Spokane